Exercising apparatus



Dec. 20, 1932. F. L. DYER EXERGISING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 2. 1929 7 ull"H lNVENTOR y I I I l l I I: 1

Patented Dec. 20, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF CE FRANK L. DYER, OF NEWYORK, N. Y.

EXERGISING APPARATUS Application filed February 2, 199. Serial-No.337,123.

My invention relates to improvements in exercising apparatus preferablyof the type in which an electric motor operates an endless belt with avibratory motion and with 5 sufficient power to cause a bodily movementof the user of the apparatus.

To provide an electric motor or sufficient power for the purposeinvolves the construc-' tion of an apparatus of substantial size andweight. If the apparatus is to be concealed after use, it is moved withdifficulty and if it is not concealed, it takes up room and is unsightlyin appearance. Furthermore, in order to exercise withsuch an apparatus aconsiderable pull is imposed upon the endless belt in order that theuser may be vibrated bodily; otherwise chafing will result.

30 concealed and when exposed will be in condition for immediate use. Tothis end, the invention consists in normally locating the apparatus in acloset or recess normally closed by a door, so that by opening said doorthe apparatus may be brought into position for operation. The apparatusmay be carried upon the door itself or it may be mounted upon anindependent support, such as a swinging or hinged bracket extendingpar-, allel with the door and preferably connected to the same so thatwhen the door is opened or closed the bracket carrying the exercisingapparatus will be correspondingly moved.

The latter modification of the invention will be made the subject of afurther application but is comprehended by the claim hereof. In thepresent form of the invention, the exercising apparatus is carried uponthe door so that the weight of the apparatus is imposed upon the hingesthereof. In order to such a way that it may be quickly and easilyprevent the vibrating forces developed'by the motor from being imposedupon the hinges, I mount the apparatus so that it may move independentlyof the door in a-horizontal :plane and I connect the apparatus to thedoor jamb or some other fixed structure-bymeansof a Eli strap upon whichwill be imposed the stresses developed in use.

' In order thatthe invention may be better understood, attention isdirected to the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification,and in which Figure 1 is a horizontal section partly in elevation,illustrating the mounting ofthe exercising apparatus upon a closet doorwith the strap secured to the jamb thereof.

Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same.

Figure 3 is an end view showing a portion of the door with theexercising apparatus mounted thereon.

In all the above views corresponding parts are represented by the samenumerals.

The exercising apparatus may be of any suitable type. It is here shownas comprising a base motor 2 which causes plungersS, 3 to recip- 1 onwhich is mounted an electric rocate or vibrate at high speed and towhich 7 plungers is secured an endless belt 4, made usually of heavycanvas and which is caused to encircle the waist or other part of theperson using the device.

As shown, the base 1 is mounted to slide horizontally with respect tothe frame. The latter in the form illustrated, comprises side members 5,5 with rails 6, 6 upon which the base moves. The side members 5, 5 aresecured to the door 7 by screws or in any other suitable way. v

I illustrate anti-friction balls 8 on which the base 1 is mounted sothat said base will be free to move readily, thus relieving the hingesof the door 7 of all strains due to the operation of the motor 2.Overhanging lugs 9, 9 keep the base 1 in position on the antifrictionballs 8.

A heavy strap 10 is secured to the base 1 and is connected to the doorjamb 11 or to any other fixed object so as to absorb stresses due to theoperation of the motor.

A lug 12 preferably depends from the base 1 and interposed between saidlug and a stationary lug 13, is a spring 14 tending to keep the strap 10always taut. As a matter of convenience, I illustrate shelves 15, 15arranged between the side members 5 of the supporting frame, whichshelves can be used for receiving shoes or other objects of wearingapparel, thus economizing the space in the closet which is taken up bythe exercising apparatus and its supporting frame. It will be seen thatthe spring 14 if used, tends to act also to automatically close the door7 when the apparatus is to be put out of use.

The operation of the apparatus is obvious, it being only necessarytopartially open the door 7, thus bringingthe exercising apparatus intoview, whereupon it will be employed in the ordinary way. 7

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new therein anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

The combination with a hinged door, of a motor operated exercisingapparatus carried by said door and movable in a horizontal planewithrespect to the same, a strap connected to the exercising apparatusand a fixed anchorage with which said strap connects for relieving thedoor of stresses developed 1n said exercising apparatus.

FRANK L. DYER.

